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Giants inspired for Super Bashby Martin Gough - BBC Sport (U2505894) 04 February 2008   Twenty-one years ago, when he was defensive co-ordinator for the New York Giants, Bill Belichick came up with a scheme that held the league’s leading passer, John Elway, in check as the Giants upset the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. The Patriots didn’t know what had hit them as defenders were sent by Spagnuolo from all angles Tom Brady threw an NFL record 50 touchdown passes during the regular season, occasionally appearing as if he was a class apart from the rest of the league, but on Sunday night in Arizona he appeared mortal.His offensive line allowed Brady to be sacked just 21 times as the Patriots won all 16 of their regular-season games. On Sunday, they didn’t know what had hit them as defenders were sent by Spagnuolo from all angles. The result was five sacks, and countless passes thrown wildly with defenders breathing down Brady’s neck. The Patriots went up early thanks to a daring move to use starting running back Laurence Maroney as the kick-off returner and a key pass interference call on linebacker Antonio Pierce, which set up Maroney’s touchdown plunge. But thereafter, Brady was powerless to create anything, and the momentum turned as successive Patriots drives were stopped with three sacks towards the end of the first half. Justin Tuck was responsible for two of the three, rushing up the middle as attention was directed outside, where the threat has come all season from ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Umenyiora, who lived in London until the age of seven, fell on a Brady fumble to end the half, denting confidence even though there wasn’t enough time for the Giants to capitalise. Although he has eclipsed the great Lawrence Taylor as the Giants most successful pass-rusher, Strahan is probably still best known in the UK as the golfer in the advert for under-arm deodorant. Strahan missed the start of his 15th season as he decided whether or not to retire but his decision to play on for at least one more year was proved correct when he took Brady down in the third quarter. Belichick’s decision at that point to go for it on fourth and 13 rather than attempt a 48-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead will be second-guessed from now until Labour Day weekend, when the 2008 season gets under way. Twice in the third quarter, Patriots linemen got the jitters at the prospect of dealing with the oncoming rush and were called for false starts, killing momentum. It wasn’t as if New England didn’t try to adjust. They knew that the best way to deal with the blitz was to run short passing plays and screens. However, it was not until late in the game that Brady managed to do it with any consistency, coming up with a touchdown to Randy Moss with less than three minutes remaining. It was there that New York’s offence finally fired, Manning marching 83 yards in 12 plays for a late touchdown, with the key play an amazing spin out of the clutches of several defenders to launch a pass to David Tyree. But the foundation had been laid long before by the Giants defence and Spagnuolo, 48, who was considered one of the hottest coaching properties in the league even before this game. Perhaps Belichick will decide now is a good time for a move away from the sidelines Although he has only been a defensive co-ordinator this year, he was an assistant for six years with the free-blitzing Philadelphia Eagles, who met New England in their last Super Bowl appearance in 2005.Before that, he served his time in NFL Europe with the Barcelona Dragons and Frankfurt Galaxy. Now he is likely to be offered the poisoned chalice of the head coaching job with the Washington Redskins. Since his game-winning performance in 1987, Belichick has gone on to far greater things, with three Super Bowl victories in four years between 2002 and ‘05. It will be interesting to see how he responds to the failure of his latest project, perhaps deciding now is a good time for a move away from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Spagnuolo may never gain the mass exposure his players do but after a performance like this one his influence is undeniable. Latest 10 commentsRead members' comments or add your own
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keliffa (U8175204) posted Feb 5, 2008 There seems to be some confusion about stopping and starting with regard to commercials. The players plasy their game at their own pace. Commericals are done by the network when their is a stoppage in play and the network thinks they have enough time to air them. Noone gives the go ahead to the players to continue play for commerical airings.
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nelson_nyc (U10993632) posted Feb 5, 2008 For the record, I respect rugby and the players toughness, but I don't understand why anyone would think an NFL player is out of shape and could not last in the league. Just to help put things in perspective, lets look at the Brandon Jacobs, the Giants running back. The man is 6'4" tall, weighs 270lbs, and runs a 4.4 second 40 yard dash. That is insance. Now try getting in his way when he has a head of steam. The players with the 'burger guts' are offensive lineman whose job it is to keep other 285lb men, who run a 40 of under 5 seconds from getting by them. WR's are often over 6' tall and run sub 4.5 second 40 yard dash. Now consider that with the amount of strategy involved. I respect rugby players, but don't be ridiculous in thinking that these men could not compete there. Remember the padding/helmet is more often used as a weapon than protection. However, you are all correct in thinking that the stoppages take away from teh game.
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rowg90 (U10966289) posted Feb 5, 2008 After the great 16 - 0 season the Pats looked totally out of it in the play-offs and that's it.
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keliffa (U8175204) posted Feb 5, 2008 Let's see. 250 lbs guys wearing 10 pounds of pads running and crashing into each other at full speed for 3 plus hours in 90 degree weather. Anyone calling that out of shape is a m0ron.
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Fife_Lad (U6242980) posted Feb 5, 2008 The Irish are open minded and love their sport? Remind me how long Rugby and Football internationals have been played at Croke Park? Then when you answer with a low number do educate us as to why.
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Saltwaters (U8878452) posted Feb 5, 2008 The reason for Belichick not going for the field goal is quite simple- his specialist has never kicked one longer than 45 yards.
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lyin_eyes (U9294433) posted Feb 5, 2008 do they run into each other for 3 hours?
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mweller (U6882242) posted Feb 7, 2008 First off, I will say upfront I am an American who grew up playing and loving American football.
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jamesosborne17 (U5991593) posted Feb 11, 2008 what nonsense rubbish are you talking about.
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funnyadrian1976 (U11039441) posted Feb 11, 2008 "The Irish are open minded and love their sport? Remind me how long Rugby and Football internationals have been played at Croke Park? Then when you answer with a low number do educate us as to why." Comment on this article
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